The mess, the fire hazard, the smoke, all of it stays outside. So an outdoor wood boiler can mean a lot of work. Or so it would seem... but for every minute you spend cutting firewood or stoking the boiler, you would probably have to spend many times over working to pay your heating bills. So... not really a bad item.

With proper maintenance a quality outdoor boiler can last a lifetime.

If at all feasible, place outside boilers 30 to 50 feet away from buildings. For the minimum distances, check with your insurance provider. If you must install it closer to your buildings, you will have to increase the height of the flue above the nearby roof.

Some of the best hardwood types include ash, oak, beech, yellow birch and maple. In the Western U.S., wood species are often more limited. Cedar, fir and hemlock contain more heat per cord than pines and spruce.